Drum end filling funnel



Feb. 13, 1940. v. E. SPROUSE 2,139,967

DRUM END FILLING FUNNEL Filed Nov. 4. 1958 J'WuewEoT Patented Feb. 13, 1940 a new " DR M END FILLING FUNNEL Verner Ersprouse, Indianapolis, Ind., assignor to V. E. Sprouse Company, Indianapolis, Ind.

Application November 4, 1938, Serial No. 238,799 2 Claims. (Cl. Z2631) This invention relates to a funnel intended to be employed to introduce liquids into) a barrel or drum through an opening in the head when the barrel or drum is lying on its side so as to 5 present the head in a more or less'vertical plane.

I In bulk oil or fuel stations, it is the usual procedure to have one or more drums set up on racks whereby the head of the drum is presented in a vertical plane to have the filling inlet uppermost and the outlet lowermost in reference to the head so that a dispensing faucet or cook may be mounted in the outlet opening for dispensing purposes. The filling hole generally carries a plug in a loosened condition in order to vent the drum. It ispreferable to fill the drum in its reclined position, but difiiculty has been heretofore presented in that the funnels available have not been adapted for use in connection with the drums in such positions. I

It is a primary object of my invention to provide a self-contained funnel structure that may be positioned directly on the uppermost side of the drum to have a flexible conductor in part at least extend into the filling inlet of the drum head all without the operator having to hold the funnel when the liquid is being introduced.

A further important object of the invention is to provide a structure of the above indicated type that will be easily handled, free of complicated adjustments and shiftable parts, and that will be both durable and relatively low in cost of production.

These and other objects and-advantages of the invention will become apparent to those versed in the art in the following description of one particular form of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a structure embodying the invention; 7

i Fig. 2, a top plan view;

Fig. 3, an end elevation; and Fig. 4, a side elevation of the structure as applied to a drum.

I form a funnel of any suitable shape, herein shown as having a major cylindrical portion I0 with a lower inverted conical base H. The base II is provided with a central outlet to which is fixed an elbow l2. A conducting pipe 13 extends in fixed position from the outlet of the elbow l2 laterally and preferably slightly downwardly through a supporting structure brace l4 infixed relation therewith.

The supporting structure above referred to 5 "consists of four legs I5, l6, Hand I8 having their upper ends secured to the base H by any suitable means such as by welding. The legs [6 and .l'! are rigidly tied together by means ofthe brace plate M which consists essentially of ,a metal plate of substantial height notched out from its 6 under side for drum clearance and having its respective ends turned aroundto form flanges extending back of the legs 16 and II, respectively.

' In. like manner there isa similarbrace plate l9 tying together the rear legs "I5 and I8. 10

Thefront and rear pairs of legs :are then rigidly spaced apart bymeans of channel braces 20 and 2| each being secured to the respective flanges of the plates l iv and 19. This completes the formation of a rigid, four-legged support 15 secured to the funnel in such manner that by placing the structure on the drum. 22, as indicated in Figs. 3 and 4, contact with the cylindrical surface of the drum will be made by the lower ends of the four-legs so as to hold the funnel in an upright manner. As indicated in Fig. 3 particularly, the legs in both front and rear pairs are spread apart one from the other I by their lower ends so as to give a widespaced apart contact of the supporting structure on. the

drum wall in order to prevent tilting of the funnel; To the outer end of the conductor pipe I3 is fixed a rigid elbow 23 to be turned downwardly and preferably have its outletdirected slightly i back toward the head of thedrum 22. A length This conduit has a through the inlet opening 25 of the drum 22, as 35 indicated in Fig. 3. The funnelthus positioned, on the drum 22 with the conduit 24 inserted in the opening 25 is ready to receive the fluid and direct it into the drum without having to up-end the drum. From the foregoing description, it is to be observed that a very simple but effective structure is produced and permits the rapid filling of drums without loss offluid and with a minimum expenditure of energy. While I have herein 45 shown and described my invention in the one particular form, it is obvious that structural changes may be employed'without departing from the spirit of the invention, and I, therefore, do

not desire to be limited to, that precise form 50 a discharge openinginits lower portion, a base 5 formed of spaced apart legs tied together by braces remote from their lower ends, a fluid conductor connected to said vessel about said opening and extending from under the vessel to one side, said conductor being supported by one of said braces, and a flexible conductor connected to the outer end of said fluid conductor.

2. In a funnel, a fluid receiving vessel having a bottom sloping to a discharge opening, a base formed of legs having their upper ends secured to thesloping bottom, brace plates connecting the legs remote from their lower ends, a fluid conductor connected to the vessel about said opening and extending thence to one side through a brace plate and thence downwardly.

, VERNER E. SPROUSE. 

